Madurai: The US-based INFAC India Group LLC, the joint promoter of the proposed Nanguneri hi-tech park project in Tirunelveli district, and the government are working hard to make the project a success, according to its top official.

"This is a wonderful project and everybody is working hard to implement it," group Chief Executive Officer Charles V Loucks told reporters yesterday after a visit to the site of the proposed project at Nanguneri, about 185 km from here.

The INFAC India Group and Tamilnadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) have formed Advanced Technology Manufacturing and Assembly City (ATMAC) for implementation of the project.

Loucks, however, said that he could not give an assurance as to when the work on the project would start.

He was accompanied by a team of representatives of a syndicate of banks in Europe and the United States. TIDCO General Manager Williams and TWAD Board official Daniel also were present.

The Special Economic Zone Project, costing Rs.6,000 crore is to be funded by international banks.

TIDCO had acquired 2,100 acres for setting up the SEZ, but TIDCO officials said an additional 1,050 acres would be required for the project.

TIDCO sources said additional land would not be a problem.

The Park would house non-polluting and less water-intensive high tech industries.

The government should provide 6.70 million gallons of water a day to the SEZ where computer hardware, white goods, precision engineering items, and pharmaceuticals would be made.

The stake of TIDCO, which was initially 11 per cent had been reduced to one per cent. Initially Rs.700 crore would be pent on infrastructure. Another Rs.6,000 crore would be spent for establishing industrial units.

The foundation for the project was laid on February 11, 2001.

Union Minister of State for Commerce E.V.K.S.Elangovan had said that the centre would facilitate the project.

TIDCO sources said additional land would not be a problem.

The Park would house non-polluting and less water-intensive high tech industries.

The government should provide 6.70 million gallons of water a day to the SEZ where computer hardware, white goods, precision engineering items, and pharmaceuticals would be made.

The stake of TIDCO, which was initially 11 percent, had been reduced to one per cent. Initially Rs.700 crore would be spent on infrastructure. Another Rs.6,000 crore would be spent for establishing industrial units.

The foundation for the project was laid on February 11, 2001.

Union Minister of State for Commerce E.V.K.S.Elangovan had said that the centre would facilitate the project.